What does today's news of Spoon merger with WM mean for customers?

Andy Carr pictured with WyndyMilla’s acclaimed carbon SL, and the Spoon Customs Izoard RR. Pic by Matt Ben Stone.

Today we announced that Spoon Customs is joining forces with WyndyMilla (WM), the Surrey-based custom carbon experts. With Spoon getting to the point where there’s too much work for just one person, and loads of potential to do so much more, the move has come just at the right time, and means the business can now grow in a manageable way, and deliver more for customers. Ultimately getting more people into custom, riding our bikes. 

It’s daunting to think I’m going to be responsible for such a well known brand, a paint shop and my existing business, but it’s really exciting too. And we’ve got big plans here in Brighton, in Surrey and back home in the Alps. Delivered by an awesome team. 

Custom carbon and steel, side by side from Wyndymilla and Spoon Customs. Pic by Matt Ben Stone.

Who is WyndyMilla?

WM was started some ten years ago by Henry Furniss and his wife Nassima. Like me they saw an opportunity to do things differently, and build a more relevant bike for their customers. Their material of choice was carbon. No mean feat when you consider where composites and cycling were at 10 years ago. There was Bob Parlee and just a handful of others producing bespoke frames in carbon back then. 

Nowadays more and more people understand the benefits of building a custom bike designed around your body and the riding you do, so it’s a really exciting time for companies like WM. 

The recently revised and re-launched SL landed last year to rave reviews. Cycling Weekly scored it 10 out of 10. I’ve been riding the thing recently, and it’s an absolute weapon. 

The company has it’s own moulds, and has developed proprietary designs and the sort of technology you’d only expect to see at much bigger companies. And their ambassador network and customer base is really strong too. 

Henry and Nassima are moving on to new challenges, but their legacy is really exciting and to be entrusted with that is a massive deal for me. 

Stable mates. WyndyMilla’s Carbon Massive Attack SL, and Spoon Customs first gen Izoard RR handmade in Columbus steel

Why are we coming together and why now?

Whilst today’s news is a new development, I’ve been working with Sam, David, Luke, Jen, Chris, Andy and the guys at Wyndy for a while. They’re all riders and they’re as into what they do as I am.

Sam Weeks - WM’s paint expert - and I have been painting bikes for my customers for two years. At Bespoked 2019 We picked up the Campagnolo Choice award for a bike he painted, and the public vote for Best in Show, for our overall presentation. All the bikes on the stand were painted by Sam and Luke at WM’s workshop, so we’ve already got some confidence we can make good things happen together. 

David who leads on carbon engineering and fit at WM has become a bit of a confidant too, and after riding his critically acclaimed SL a few months ago, I’m convinced he can add another perspective to mine and Tony’s on bike design, and materials. He’s a whizz on solid-works too, so to have that capability in house is really exciting, and we are buzzing about the potential for further development of our frame components and products in steel and carbon. 

Chris Houghton and Andy Bonsall will be supporting me in non-exec roles too. Both have massive corporate experience from start-up to exit, and with Chris’s credentials as one of the youngest finance directors in the FTSE, and Andy’s experience of building a massive business from scratch, I’m really excited to learn from both of them. With them on board I can get some really robust oversight, with process to back us up, and make sure we grow sustainably. 

From Spoon’s point of view, WM’s recently acclaimed SL is a weapon and David and I are going to look at how we can use carbon in the Spoon context to further develop our concepts and components. We’re already looking at ways of integrating cables into head tubes on our Izoard RR and that’s just the start. 

A review of the brands and their strengths will follow too, led by me, so we can make sure WM’s brand is right and landing with the right customers, so more people can experience the SL, and their awesome Massive Attack race bike and aero Saw Dr. I’m also really excited about growing the paint shop side of the business with Sam, and we’re looking at ways we can position that business as a stronger force in the custom paint business - with all the creative and crossover opportunity that comes with that. 

We’ve quite a lot of practical stuff to work out and it seems likely we’ll all be under the same roof as soon as is practical. So expect a few organisational changes. For existing customers, you shouldn’t notice too much change, except I’ll have some help for the first time, so you can expect improved communications and a bit more activity as we bring the businesses together. And some really rad products too of course, under both brands. 

For now, take a look at WM’s offering. Or book that existing bike in for a custom paint overhaul. 

Together we can build you a rad bike in steel or carbon now, so there’s even less excuses not to get off the cookie-cutter big-brand bike, and step over to our side to design a beautiful custom bike around your exact needs. 

And, I’ve now got a team that’s as up for this as I am. The next few years are going to be really exciting.